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INVESTIGATOR: Meng, Y.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY
ALCORN STATE, MISSISSIPPI 39096

BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPROACHES FOR IMPROVING SWEETPOTATO CROP WITH MULTIPLE VIRUS RESISTANCE

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.; Convolvulaceae), a plant widely grown in all tropical and subtropical areas, is among the 10 most important food crops worldwide. As a crop produced by vegetative propagation, "cultivar decline" due to viral infections significantly reduces sweetpotato yield and storage root quality. In the United States, Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV) and Sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV) are two of the most prevalent sweetpotato viruses that cause devastating diseases and yield reductions. Even though resistance to viral infections remains the most cost effective way of disease management, to date, immune resistance to these viruses has not been identified in I. batatas. In this study, we will explore a novel biotechnological method to develop transgenic sweetpotato plants with resistance to these two viruses. The overall goal of this project is to develop and manage sweetpotato viral disease resistance through biotechnology approaches in US, aiming at increasing the sweetpotato yield, quality and investment return for farmers. Specifically, we propose the following objectives: 1) To develop a plant transformation and regeneration protocol for the production of value-added sweetpotato lines using popular production lines; 2) To create transgenic virus resistance lines in sweetpotato to multiple important epidemic viruses; 3) To conduct biological evaluation of the transgenic lines for their resistance to multiple viruses under diverse growth conditions and agricultural practices. Successful execution of this project will significantly boost quality of life and environment in the underserved communities and enhance research and education capacities of Alcorn State University.

OBJECTIVES: The overall goal of this project is to develop and manage sweetpotato viral disease resistance through biotechnology approaches in US, aiming at increasing the sweetpotato yield, quality and investment return for farmers. Specifically, we propose the following objectives: 1) To develop a plant transformation and regeneration protocol for the production of value-added sweetpotato lines using popular production lines; 2) To create transgenic virus resistance lines in sweetpotato to multiple important epidemic viruses; 3) To conduct biological evaluation of the transgenic lines for their resistance to multiple viruses under diverse growth conditions and agricultural practices.